Can-filling machine



Jan. 19', 1926.

1,570,151 A. HOLMQUIST I CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed April 26, 1920 4sheets-sheet 1 Jan. 19, 1926. 1,570,151

A. HOLMQUIST CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed April 26, 1,920 4 Sheet-Sheefb 2h v 15 2 7W 7526 6662 776 Zwyawf.

Jan. 19 1926.

. 1,570,151 A. HOLMQUIST CAN FILLING- MACHINE Filedjpril 26, 1920 4Sheets-Sheet 5 Jim Jan. 19 1926.

A. HoLM ulsT cm FILLING mama Filed April 26. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I IE V i Z EIEV/ Frail/4747474141 1 /4 5- 0/4 i: nil

Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST HOLMQUIST, OF HOOIPESTON, ILLINOIS, KSSIGNOR. BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, T0 SPRAGUE-SELLS CORPORATION. OF HOOPESTON, ILLINOIS.

CAN-FILLING- MAGHINE.

Application filed April 26, 1920. Serial No. 376,565.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, AUGUST HOLMQUIST, a citizen of the UnitedStates,'residing at Hoopeston, in the county of Vermilion and State ofIllinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Can-FillingMachines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming apart of this specification.

My invention relates to can filling machines, having particular relationto machines of the character designated wherein substantially all of theoperations are automatic including the can-supply means, the measuringmeans, and the can-filling means, and it has for its object to providemeans in combination with a machine of this character whereby materialwill not be supplied from the can-filling means unless an empty canproperly co-operates therewith, thus preventing the spilling andconsequent waste of material when the latter circumstance does notobtain. 7

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a machineembodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan sectional view of my machine taken on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1, only the supply vat and particular portions of the can-fillinmeans being shown, and the parts above t e line 22 being removed; Fig. 3is an enlarged elevational sectional view of the can-filling controlmechanism and supply vat taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are plan and elevational views, respectively, of a supplytank and a plunger-operating track;

Fig. 6 is an elevational View illustrating the manner in which thecan-control trigger is supported in my machine;

Figs. 7 and 8 are elevational, detail views of one of the switches usedin connection with the plunger operating track;

Fig. 9 is an elevationalview of a filling nozzle and a plunger viewedfrom the side that fits to the supply tank;

Fig. 10 is an elevational sectional view taken'on the line 1010 of Fig.9 showing the measuring means and the nected by a by-pass;

supply vat con- Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the plungerin its uppermost position and the discharge port from the measuringmeans open; and, I

Fig. 12 is a plan sectional the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

view taken on In machines of the character above designated it hasheretofore been a matter of considerable difiiculty to prevent thespilling and consequent waste of material when the automatic can-supplyand can-filling mechanisms did not properly synchronize.

Par-

ticularly is this waste noticeable in machines which are entirelyautomatic in operation.

In machines of the latter character a supply vat is usually providedwhence material is supplied to a plurality of vices, sired adjustment.

measuring dethese latter being capable of any de- Furthermore, themachines are so constructed and so operated that the material which hasis automatically discharged been measured from such. de-

vices into empty'cans which are automatically supplied to the machine,

and which, of

course, must closely co-operate with the canfilling means communicatinguring devices.

It frequently happens that mischance, cans are not er relation to thefilling means.

however, that any attempt has hereaware,

with the measthrough some supplied, in the prop- I am not 1 tofore beenmade whereby upon the failure of the can-supply, the

can-filling means is automatically closed. The reason for this is moreor less obvious inasmuch as the discharge of the material from theautomatic measuring means is positive and tends to take placeirrespective of the can supply. If it were attempted, therefore, to stopthis of the measur ing means would have to be re-organized. As aboveindicated such reorganization, in this type of machine, has not beenheretodischarge the entire structure fore attempted.

The primary object of ti n w th an automatic canmy invention, therefore,is to provide means in combinafilling machine would normally be suppliedto a co-operating can, is returned to the supply vat whence it came, ifa can does not co-operate with the filling means.

Other objects of my invention will be more clearly understood after adescription of a machine embodying my improvement and will, therefore,be set forth after my machine has been described and its operationexplained. 1

Referring now to the drawings:

A base standard l-furnishes the primary support for a can fillingmachine. A secondary support 2 and an upwardly extended column member 3serve to support a cooker vat 4. Extending into the vat 4 and journalledin a portion of the support 2, is a shaft 5 which is rotated throughintermeshing gears 6, and serves to agitate the material in the cooker4. A shaft 7 to which is secured one of the gears 6 also carries a gear8 which intermeshes with a gear wheel 9.

A supply vat 10 is so associated with the cooker 4 that it may be filledwith material through a valve 11. To the bottom of the tank 10 areattached a plurality of measuring cylinders 12 having pistons 13reciprocating therewithin. of the vat or tank 10 are mounted an equalnumber of discharge nozzles 14 in which are positioned plungers 15, thedischarge noz-- zles 14 communicating with the measuring cylinders 12through discharge ports 16. In the bottom of the tank 10 is anonrotating cut-off plate 17 which, as shown in Fig. 2, has a portioncut away leaving V an irregular opening whereby one or more of themeasuring cylinders may be in direct communication with the tank 10,sald measurmg cylinders belng successlvely placed in communication withthe latter by the rotation thereof.

The tank 10 with the above described associated equipment is mounted ona center shaft 18 which is keyed to the gear wheel 9, whereby the tankand its equipment may be rotated. As this rotation takes place thepistons 1313 are reciprocated through connecting rods 19-19 carryingrollers 2020 which engage an inclined stationary cam 21. As themeasuring cylinders 12 are passing the opening in the cut-off plate 14,the pistons 13 are at the lowest point of the sta- On the outside wall'ing device 27 which may be designated the down-stroke switch.

A switch operating lever 28 is attached to, and adapted to operate, theswitch member 26 through a bell crank 29 and a link 30. A supportingbracket 31 is attached to a vertically extending member 32 which ismaintained stationary and may be secured to the body of the machine inany desired manner.

An arcuate member 33 is positioned at the lower end of the lever ortrigger 28 and is adapted, upon engagement with a cam 34, to be forcedoutwardly thereby against the tension of thespring 35 and to therebydetermine the position of the switch 26. It will be noted that thisarcuate member 33 may be adjusted in position with respect to the sideof the tank 10 through means indicated at 36, the can contact member 33being adapted in'this manner to be adjusted for cans of any size.

It will be understood that the cans are so positioned with re'specttothe tank 10 that they rotate tllerewith= and in co-operation with thecompanion filling nozzles 14, whereas the can operated, switchcontrolling means together with the two-course track remains stationary.

When the plunger roller 22 encounters the switch 26 in its closedposition, after the latter has been set by predetermined conditions,said roller 22 rides up on to the upper course 25 and thereafter againdescends to the lower track via the switch 27. However, if the switch 26is open, that is, if a can is not present to receive: the materialexpelled from the associated measuring device, the roller 22 follows thelower track course and no movement is imparted to the plunger 15.

When the roller in the latter case encounters the down-stroke switch 27it forces the latter smoothly to the lower track.

X cated to co-operate with the discharge 16 will be explained.

As best shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 the plungers are provided with aconcavity or a re-entrant portion 39, opening on the side of the plungerwhich is in proximity to the side of the supply tank 10. From aconsideration of the four figures above men tioned it will be apparentthat when a plunger 15 is in its lowest position (Fig. 10) the concayeportion comprises a by-pass between .15 the discharge port 16, leadingfrom the measuring cylinder, and a port 40 at the bottom of the tank'10, it being understood that there are as-many of these ports 40 asthere are plungers and co-operating measuring means.

Fig. 9 illustrates the manner in which the filling spout 14 is attachedto the body of the tank 10.

, In Fig ll the plunger is shown in its uppermost position or thatposition in which it remains while the roller 22 rides upon the .uppertrack course 25. In this position it will be seen that the dischargeport 16 is in communication with the filling spout 14 and that the solidportion of the plunger \ri eloses the auxiliary port 40 in the tank 10.

It will be noted in the foregoing description that I have notspecifically described a means for automatically. supplying cans to themachine, nor have I referred specifically to the apparatus whereby thefilled cans are automatically withdrawn from the rotating platform uponwhich they rest while they are being filled. I do not believe thesedescriptions to be necessary, inasmuch \as the subjects-matter of suchapparatus form no part of my present invention. I have, however, shown.in connection with the base portion of the tank 10, can-holdingwings 41and 42 which function to maintain the can in correct position under thefilling spouts 14 during their travel with the tank 10. I In Fig. 1 tothe left of the wing 42 and designated by the numeral 43, I have shownan automatic mechanism for withdrawing the filled cans from under thespout 14, it

being noted that at this point the discharge port 16 is closed and thatthe piston 13 is in its lowermost position.

Having described one embodiment of-my invention the-operation thereof isas follows:

Assuming the tank 10 to be filled with ma- A terial which is to besupplied to the cans and it further being'understood that the tank 10with its associated equipment is rotated through suitable gearing, themeasuring ,cylinders 12 are filled as they come from under thestationary cut-off plate 17 and are thereby laced in directcommunication with the tan 10. The mechanism is so synchronized ,thatduring the time the measuring cylinders start upwardlybecause oftheaction of the cam .21 and the piston rollers 20. The upstroke of thepistons l3forces the material in the measuring cylinders to passoutwardly through the disch u'ge ports 16 and downwardly through thefilling spouts 14.. This action can best be understood from a consideration of Fig. 3-.

It is apparent that this same sequence of events would occurirrespective of whether or not a can is positioned beneath the fillingspout, if no means were provided whereby tie can supply controlled theopening and closing of the filling spouts. As before pointedv out, 'whena plunger roller 22 engages'the upper track during a major portion ofits travel, the associated plunger will be held in its uppermostposition during this time and communication between the discharge ports16 and the filling spouts 14 will not be interrupted. On the other hand,if the plunger roller remains-on the lower track course during the sameperiod of travel the associated plunger will remain in its lowermostposition and the by-passportion 39 formed therein will establishcommunica tion between the discharge ports 16 and the port 40 in thetank 10.

With the latter conditions existing-it is apparent that the up-stroke ofthe piston 13 will not discharge the material. in the measuring cylinderbut will force it back into the supply tank 10. This operation resultsin substantially no waste of material because, when a can is notproperly positioned" beneath the filling spout 14, the material in themeasuring means is returned to the supply tank whence it' came.

Referring now to the various detail views of the track courses, theswitches therebetween, and the can-controlled means for setting theswitches, the manner in which the can supply' determines the position ofthe plungers 15 will be described. In Figs. 3 1

and.4 it will be seen that the arcuate member 33 is normally tiltedinwardly into the path of the cans through the tension of the switch 35.As a can engages the flaring end of the member 33 and, by the rotationof the platform upon which the can rests, moves into close contact withthe inner arcuate portion of the member 33, the lever 28 is tiltedagainst the action of the spring 35 and the switch 26 is pressed towardthe tank wall 10 whereby the plunger roller 22 is constrained to movefrom the lower trackway course to the upper trackway course. As

before pointed out this sequence of operations results in the plunger 15assuming its uppermost position whereupon the filling .the lower trackcourse.

pass portion 39 establishes communication.

spout 14 is opened and the material, which is forced outwardly by thedischarge stroke of the piston 13, is received in the can which hasco-operated to set the switch 26 in the aforesaid position. As long ascans are de livered in correct co-op-erating position with the fillingnozzles 14, the member 33 is maintained in tensional contact therewithand the switch 26, remains closed.

between the port and the discharge port 16 whereby, upon the positivedischarge stroke of the piston 13, the material in themeasuring cylinderis forced back into the tank 40 and the excessive waste heretoforeoccasioned by the failure of the can supply is eliminated.

While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention it is apparentthat "many modifications therein may occur to those skilled in the art,and I desire, therefore, that my invention be limited only by theshowing of the prior art and by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a. can-filling machine, a material tank having apertures therein,measuring devices adapted to be filled therefrom, a cut-off plate toopen and close said apertures, means for filling cans from said me'asuring devices, and means normally operating, upon the absence of a can,to permit the material in a measuring device to be forced back into saidtank, while the apg'ture through which the material entered said deviceis closed by said cut-oil plate. 4

2. In a can-filling machine, a revoluble material tank having aperturestherein, a stationary cut-ofi plate for opening and closing saidapertures, measuring devices having pistons reciprocating therein. thematerial from said tank being supplied to said devices and on top ofsaid pistons when said apertures are uncovered by said'plate, dischargepassages for delivering the material from said measuring devices to thecans, means'formoving said pistons to discharge said measured materialinto cans when the latter are correctly positioned, and auto- 'maticmeans to prevent the discharge of said material through saiddischarge-passages into the cans upon the discharging plying material tosaid devices above said pistons, discharge passages for delivering thematerial from said measuring devices to the cans, and automatic meansoperating as the tank continues its rotation for preventing thedischarge of material through said discharge passages into the cans whenthe cans are not in position.

4. In a can-filling machine, a revolving material tank, 'a plurality ofmeasuring devices connected thereto, vertically reciprocable pistons insaid devices, means for supplying material to said devices above saidpistons and for cutting oil said supply when said devices are filled,discharge passages for delivering the material from said measuringdevices to the cans and means comprising a vertically reciprocatingvalve having a bypass therein for preventing the discharge of materialthrough said discharge passages into the cans when the cans are not inposition while said first named means are closed and for returning thematerial in said measuring device to the tank.

5. In a can-filling machine, a revolving material tank, a plurality ofmeasuring devices connected thereto, vertically reciprocable pistons insaid devices, means for supplying material to said devices above saidpistons, and means for returning the material in said devices to thetank when can are not in position.

6. In a can-filling machine, a material tank having apertures therein,measuring devices connected thereto, a cut-ofi device for opening andclosing said apertures to fill said measuring devices, auxiliary portsin said tank, can-filling ports in said measuring devices, and means forconnecting said uring devices, means for expelling the material fromsaid devices into cans after said aperturesha've been closed, and meanscomprising by-passes adapted to connect said ports upon the ,absence ofa can whereby said expelling'means forces the material in the affecteddevice back into the tank through. said. byass. J

SLIn-a 'caning machine, a material 'tankhaving apertures therein,measuring devices connected thereto, a cut-01f device for opening andclosing said apertures to fill said measuring devices, an auxiliary portplying material from said vat to said measuringmeans, can-filling meanscommunicating with said measurmg means, closure 'members for said;can-filling means, said members embodying'by-pass channels, and

means governed by the can-supply for placing said by-pass channels incommunlcatlon with said vat and said measuring means whereby thematerial in the latter may be returned to said vat while the normalsupply means therebetween is closed.

', 10. In a can-filling machine, a supply vat; measuring means, meansfor normally sup plying material from said vat to said measu-ring means,can-filling means communicating with said measurin means, closuremembers for sa1d can-fi 1n means, said members embodying by-pass cannels whlch in one position of said member afiord com-' ,municationbetween said -measuring means and said vat whereby the material may bereturned to the vat, and means governed by the can-supply comprising atrigger adapted to press against said cans for placing said vat and saidmeasuringmeans wherethe material inthe latter may not be resai - turnedto said vat while the normal-supply cation between said tank andcylinders, pismeans therebetween is closed; 1

11. In a can-filling machine comprising a revoluble supply tank aplurality of v'ertically disposed cylin ers vunderneath said tank andrevoluble therewith, a stationary cut-off plate for controlling thecommunitons operating in said cylinders for wlthdrawingcmaterial fromsaid reservoir and dischargingit from said cylinders, means forconveying cans around with saidc lin ders to receive the materialdischarged t erefrom, discharge assa material from said cylinders to thecans, and

byass channels out of communication with] for delivering the automaticmeans operating while the tank I i is revolving whereby, if a can is notpresent to receive said material, the discharge passages will be closed.

12. A canfilling'machine comprising a revoluble tank, a plurality ofvertically disposed cylinders underneath said tank and revolubletherewith, a stationary cut-ofi plate for controlling the communicationbetween said tank and cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders forwithdrawing materlal from said reservoir and discharg ing it from saidcylinders, and a two-way valve for each of said cylinders forcontrolling the discharge therefrom, said valve when in one positiondischarging the mate rial into a receptacle, and when in the otherposition returning the material into the tank.

13. A can filling machine comprising a revoluble tank, a plurality ofvertically'disposed cylinders underneath said tank and revolubletherewith, a stationary cut-off plate for controlling the communicationbe- I tween said tank and cylinders, pistons operating in said cylindersfor withdrawing material from said reservoir and discharging it fromsaid cylinders, a two-way valve for each of said cylinders forcontrolling the discharge therefrom, said valve when in one positiondischarging the material'into a re ceptacle, and when 1n the otherposition returning the material into the tank, and

means for controlling said valve comprising a can-controlled member.

14. A can fillin'g machine comprisin a revoluble, tank, a plurality ofvertically fiisposed cylinders underneath said tank and revolubletherewith, a stationary cut-0E plate for controlling the communicatidnbetween said tank and cylinders, pistons operating in said cylinders forwithdrawing,

material; from said reservoir and discharging it from said cylinders,-a'two-way valve for each of said cylinders for controlling the dischargetherefrom, said valve when in one position discharging the material intoa re-' ceptaclrand when in the other position returning the materialinto the Itank, and means for controlling said valve comprisacan-controlled switch for determining which of said coursesis-eflt'ective.

- In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub- I scribed my na e r AUGUSTHOLMQUISTT-"gf ing a trackway having a plurality of courses 1 I v and

